City Council – April 20, 2026 Agenda & Minutes

Posted: April 17, 2026 | Updated: May 1, 2026

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   APRIL 20, 2026

TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING:             5:30 P.M. CITY HALL, 130 N PARK PLACE

 

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE ABOVE MENTIONED

GOVERNMENTAL BODY WILL MEET AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SET OUT ABOVE.  THE TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR SAID MEETING IS AS FOLLOWS:

 

ROLL CALL: CARMAN, WOLFE, FOSAAEN, McCONNELL, KRIENER

 

ACT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: All items listed under the consent agenda will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a request is made prior to the time council votes on the motion.

  1. Approval of the Agenda
  2. Approval of the Claims
  3. Minutes from April 6, 2026
  4. Minutes from April 6, 2026 Special Meeting
  1. Class C Retail Alcohol License to McAllister Catering, LLC with Catering Privileges
  2. Approval of Special Class B Retail Native Wine License (WB) to Michael Magler d/b/a Midwest Artisans Group with Outdoor Service
  1. Approval of Cigarette/Tobacco Permit Applications for DOLGENCORP LLC dba Dollar General Store #31641 (Change in store number and suppliers)

 

STAFF REPORTS: There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.

  1. Public Works
  2. Police
  3. Administration
  4. Committee Updates

 

COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE: (This portion of the agenda is for comments that are not related to one of the items listed on the agenda.  Comments can only be received. No formal action by the Council can be taken.    Those making public comments will be asked to state their name and address, and to speak from the podium.)

 

BUSINESS: There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.

 

  1. Public Hearing for the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2027
  2. Resolution Adopting the Budget and Certification of City Taxes for Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027
  3. Lucas Merritt with Hawkeye Sanitation to Discuss Fuel Surcharge and Possible Motion to Approve Surcharge
  4. First Reading of Proposed Ordinance 532 Water Service Billing
  5. Possible Motion to Waive the Second and Third Reading of Ordinance Proposed No. 532
  6. Approval of Ordinance No. 532 Water Service Billing
  7. Resolution Approving Preliminary Application for Property Tax Exemption Submitted by John and Darlene Skoda in a Recognized Urban Revitalization Area and Authorizing the Transmittal of the Approved Application to the Howard County Assessor
  8. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Letter to Support an Application with the Iowa Economic Development Authority for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Roof Replacement Funding
  9. Discuss Webster Addition Signage Area
  10. Discuss Water, Sewer and Yard Waste Rates
  11. Discuss Parking on 7th Street West
  12. Discuss Speed Limit on 6th Avenue West

 

ADJOURN:

 

THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN AT THE DIRECTION OF THE MAYOR PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 21, CODE OF IOWA AND THE LOCAL RULES OF SAID GOVERNMENTAL BODY.  POSTED APRIL 17, 2026.

MINUTES

Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on April 20, 2026 at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Wolfe, Fosaaen, McConnell, and Kriener were present. No council members were absent.

Mayor Fortune moved consent agenda item #6 to the business section of the agenda. Carman then made a motion to approve the consent agenda, which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes from the April 6, 2026 regular and special meetings; Class C Retail License with catering privileges to McAllister Catering, LLC; Retail Cigarette and Tobacco Permits for DOLGENCORP, LLC dba Dollar General #31641 (change of store number and suppliers). McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) yard waste pickup started this week. They are also doing the grinding at the yard waste site; (b) Street Dept is working on some storm sewer repairs as well as working with the Parks Dept to level the area on Kings Road so it can be utilized for the recreation program; (c) Age Related Project is almost complete. There is an issue with the clarifier seals, so they will need to be drained and inspected this summer; (d) no issues with flushing hydrants. The Water Dept is replacing a few hydrants as well; (e) Planning & Zoning meeting is April 22nd to discuss the Comp Plan Update; (f) on April 24th, there will be a tree planted at the pickleball court in memory of Jerry Wilson.

Police Chief Ruroden reported that Officer Doeppke is now back at work. Officer Eagan’s last day is April 20th. No issues with prom. Working with the Howard-Winneshiek School regarding a School Resource Officer.

City Clerk Hill reported: (a) busy with utility rates and budget amendment; (b) first round of questions for the Ordinance Book update have been received. Will review and send to Council to review and discuss at the next meeting; (c) attended IMFOA last week; (d) there one yard meter and three snow bird water meters left that are manually being read. Will send email sign up form with this month’s utility bills; (e) updated Scene Shop funding report was provided to Council. The Theatre Commission is looking at fundraising ideas to pay back the remaining $270,665.12. There will be an open house to tour the Scene Shop on May 3rd from 1 – 3 pm, and a ribbon cutting event on May 12th at 5 pm. Echoes of the Cresco Theatre: A Psychic Experience is May 9th and Lorie Line will perform on December 22nd with other events this summer and fall.

McConnell reported the park board met. They have revamped the new building and it will be substantially lower. The final proposal will be presented at a future meeting.

Fosaaen attended the Theatre Commission meeting and they discussed upcoming projects, fundraising ideas, and live events.

Mayor Fortune asked for comments from the audience and there were none.

Mayor Fortune opened the Public Hearing on the proposed budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. There were no written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed. Carman made the motion to approve the Resolution for Adoption of Budget and Certification of City Taxes for Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Lucas Merritt from Hawkeye Sanitation explained that due to the high cost of diesel, they would like to implement a fuel surcharge. Their proposal is for $688.36 which is approximately 40 cents per customer. The current contract allows for the increase but gives Council up to 60 days to review the request. They will draw up a new Appendix A & B with new rates proposed that include the surcharge for the May 4th meeting.

Mayor Fortune performed the first reading of Ordinance No. 532 pertaining to water service billing. Fosaaen made a motion to approve the first reading. Wolfe seconded and it passed all ayes.

McConnell moved to waive the second and third reading of Ordinance No. 532. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 532 pertaining water service billing. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Kriener made a motion to approve a resolution approving a preliminary application for property tax exemption submitted by John and Darlene Skoda in a recognized Urban Revitalization Area and authorizing the transmittal of the approved application to Howard County. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a letter to support an application with the Iowa Economic Development Authority for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Roof Replacement Funding. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

Council discussed the concrete sign area on the north side of York Street. Over the years, it has worn down and the concrete area has started to break down due to limited area to turn for buses, larger vehicles, and snow removal. All council members were in favor of removing the concreted island area.

The Council held a discussion on proposed increases to water, sewer, and yard waste rates. Yard waste fees were increased in FY26, and even though the FY27 is showing a loss due to purchasing a new chipper, Council would like to leave the rate the same and pay for the chipper out of reserves. While the Council expressed reluctance to raise rates, they acknowledged the need to maintain a balanced budget and remain compliant for the SRF Sewer Loan. They requested additional information on how the changes would affect customer bills and plan to revisit the discussion at the May 4th meeting.

Council discussed parking on 7th Street West. Due to increased traffic as well the road being narrowed slightly when it was reconstructed, Council would like to have no parking from Highway 9 up until Stock Ave, No parking on the west side of the street up to 6th Avenue West. Parking would be allowed on the east side of 7th Street West north of Stock Avenue. A resolution will be drawn up for the May 4th meeting.

Council reviewed the speed limits on 6th Avenue West. Currently it is 25 mph from 3rd Street West (Granger Rd) to Donaldson Road and then it increases to 45 mph to Valley Avenue. All Council members would like to add a 35-mph zone from 7th Street West to Donaldson Road. An ordinance will be drawn up for a future meeting.

Carman made a motion to approve Special Class B Retail Native Wine License (WB) with Outdoor Service to Michael Magler d/b/a Midwest Artisans Group. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

Kriener moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:24 pm. Wolfe seconded, and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be May 4, 2026, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

 

Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill

Documents

2026 City Council Agendas, Minutes